The Wishing Well

In this emotionally rich story from New York Times bestselling author Gideon Sterer and award-winning illustrator Emily Hughes, a monster trapped at the bottom of a wishing well plots his escape, reminding us that true wealth is measured not in coins but in love, freedom, and the beauty of nature.

Plip! Plop! Plip! The coins fall down into the well, and at the bottom is the monster who must record all the wishes. The people wish for puppies, or ponies, but most of all, they wish to be rich. They think that will make them happy. But the monster, surrounded by money, knows that the treasures of their lives above make them rich already. The hugs, the kisses, the books, the stars, and the seasons are all that he wishes for. 

His lonely plight—and daring escape—will have readers reconsidering their wildest wishes. 

Perfect for fans of John Klassen’s modern fables, The Wishing Well celebrates the beauty and wonder of all we take for granted. 

• “Readers will empathize with the monster’s desire to experience the world above and come to understand that many things in life are more important than money.”
  Booklist
•  A September/October 2026 Kids' Indie Next Pick
   
  Indie Next
• "Unhurried text and deliberately paced images that nod to classic fairy tales build to a satisfying story that speaks not only to the follies of getting and having but to the rewards of taking the long view."
  Publishers Weekly